Since I EDC a folder (sometimes a Ritter, sometimes a different Benchmade) I'm not concerned with needing one for each kit. I have a fixed blade in each kit selected for the purpose of that kit, but the folder will be in my right front pocket.

I'll second the Gerber knives (although I've never used the paraframe). For the price, they're decent quality, I actually prefer them over my spydercos because they're lighter and more versatile. They don't have tree-felling power of some of the more tactical knives, but most of the time I'm just using them for light duty cutting where a smaller, thinner blade is more useful.

Personally, I've started going cheaper and smaller on all my knives. For me, It seems like after a certain price point, you're really not getting a much better cutting implement for the extra money. A $300 knife will not cut 10X better than a $30 knife, and for most people who aren't knife enthusiast, they probably will not know the difference.

I do recommend having one really good quality knife for your main knife, but unless you have a lot of extra cash laying around, buying multiple $100+ knives that will most likely spend it's whole life collecting dust in an emergency kit seems like a waste of money. That is money you could be putting to better use somewhere else. I'll even go as far as to say for that purpose, just get the most inexpensive (but decent) knife that will fulfill your needs. I'm not saying get a $3 pocket knife, but I think you could probably find a lot of decent choices in $30 price range that you're looking at.

Check out smokey mountain knife works . They have a super deal on the gerber paraframe folder a good all purpose folder i have several and yhink they are o.k.


Breaker

I'm less interested in the debate of what knives to get than what you mentioned here. I EDC the LM New Wave, and I'm curious just what sort of use yours saw with regard to salt-water induced rust. It sounds like you were actually using it on a boat. If it was continually drenched in salt-water, did you rinse it with fresh and oil it regularly? Any other maintenance or was it just left to it's own devices? I ask because I would like to avoid the same result. Also, what parts rusted and were you able to recondition it?

Matt has served on the USCG academy training cutter Eagle and 210' medium endurance cutter Venturous.

Thanks Chris, that settles the "did you use it on an ocean going vessel" question. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Now I'm even more interested in the answers, since I would imagine he's not a "light" tool user.

Everybody's mentioned the Spydercos, Gerbers, and others, so I'd just add not overlooking the standard Buck 110 & 112 hunters & trappers for a little over $35 or the Trapper series for less than $20.

But best of all for your purpose to put one in each bag might be the Victorionox Swiss Army Knives. Some very good models for less than $20.

Massacre,

As Chris pointed out, I spent 12 weeks of my summer at sea, in the Atlantic on our training ship EAGLE, and in the Gulf of Mexico on the 210 VENTUROUS. It was a great summer, we picked up a Cuban migrant that was on a 3' raft for a week, but that is a different story.

So, my comment about rust. I too have the Leatherman New Wave, which is made from 440c stainless steel I believe. I mentioned the rust more to illustrate a good quality of the Gerber Parafram rather than put down the Wave, one of the best tools I have ever used and a very wise way to spend $65 in my opinion.

But to answer your questions, yes I did get a little rust on the Wave, something I was very shocked to see (but perhaps I am just niaive about the properties of stainless steels). It was the only tool on my belt (I had the Parafram and the RSK Mk1 too) that had ANY rust at the end of the summer. The Wave did come in handy quite alot and was used frequently (rope and line mostly, as well as lots of screwdriving). I can remember three distinct times that I (and my tools) was drenched in seawater - during bow lookout in a nasty storm, during a hull breech drill where I was on the plug team, and during the small boat ride while conducting a boarding - but I did rinse my gear in freshwater after each time that happened. Other than that it was just exposed to the salt air, which I must admit I did not rinse off daily.

I kept my tools sharp and fairly clean during the patrol, and I am not talking MAJOR rust here. When I was done with the summer, I took all my gear and gave it a THOROUGH cleaning. When I got inside the joints and nooks and crannies of the Wave with oil coated paper towel wrapped around a toothpick, there was some rust, which I then cleaned up for the most part. And a little bit on the blade where it got scratched up a good bit, which I scubbed away. Oh, I almost forgot...Before the deployment I did use Marine Tuf Cloths on my RSK, Gerber, and as much of the Wave as I could reach with it, but I couldn't get inside those joints (the same joints which showed rust).

But again, the rust was minor, and may have been due to a little bit of daily neglect on my part. I could have done a better job of keeping it clean, and I am glad that you asked me this question because it has made me realize that I probably can do better next time with my tool maintainence. That being said, the Wave is awesome and took good care of me this summer. I wouldn't be too concerned with major rusting, sorry if it seemed like I blew it out of proportion.

Matt

I would put a vote in for the Spyderco Deleca 4, the SAK Farmer or the Fallkniven U2. I just bought a U2 on ebay for $22, brand new. I was very surprised by the quality of this little knife and how sharp it was. For a grab and go it, though, I don't think you could go wrong with the SAK Farmer.

I too, want to get a Ritter mini.

Ready

I agree with the SAK suggestion. The large format Rucksack and Trekker with locking blades and saws make excellent survival knives. ~$32 depending on where you shop online.